Novel compounds useful for modulating abnormal cell proliferation

ABSTRACT

There is described compounds of Formulæ I, II, III, IV and V. The compounds of Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V are useful: in therapeutic methods and compositions for modulating cell proliferation, in diagnostic assays and as research tools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a group of novelcompounds, particularly useful for modulating abnormal cellproliferation. In another of its aspects, the present invention relatesto a pharmaceutical composition comprising the novel compounds. In yetanother of its aspects, the present invention relates to a method ofmodulating cell proliferation using the novel compounds. In yet anotherof its aspects, the present invention relates to a process forproduction of the novel compounds.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A wide range of growth factors coordinate cell proliferation anddifferentiation. Malignant cells arise as a result of a stepwiseprogression of events that include the unregulated expression of growthfactors or components of their signaling pathways. Tyrosinephosphorylation events initiated by receptor, cytoplasmic and nuclearkinases and regulated by phosphatases are central to these processes.Mutation, hyper-activation, translocation and overexpression of proteintyrosine kinases are all associated with tumorigenesis. In addition toincreasing proliferative rates and immortalizing cells, overexpressionof tyrosine kinases can lead to morphological transformation and causeanchorage independence, contributing to the promotion of migratoryability and possibly the induction of metastases.

Certain compounds with structures based upon mimicry of ATP orphosphotyrosine have been shown to be effective kinase inhibitors. Thosebased upon phosphotyrosine have been demonstrated to be the morespecific tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Because of their ability to inhibittyrosine phosphorylation, these compounds may alter cell responses togrowth factors or other process driven by tyrosine kinase activity,including unregulated growth as the result of tyrosine kinaseoverexpression, mutation, or translocation. Inhibition of tyrosinekinases occupying a central role in proliferative signaling pathways, orin pathways regulating cell cytoskeletal structure, even temporary orincomplete inhibition, may be sufficient to switch a cancerous cell froma proliferative cycle into programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Death byapoptosis is most often observed upon effective treatment with tyrosinekinase inhibitors.

Selective inhibition of specific tyrosine kinases offers a method oftargeting cancerous cell growth with a high degree of specificity andminimal toxicity to normally growing cells and tissues. Thus, specificinhibitors, of tyrosine kinases have great potential as clinicalanti-cancer treatments. A number of small molecules which act astyrosine kinase inhibitors have been identified. For example, certainphenyl acrylonitrile compounds have been described as tyrosine kinaseinhibitors, effective to inhibit cell proliferation. See, for example,any of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,891,917, 5,217,999, 5,773,476, 5,935,993,5,656,655, 5,677,329 and 5,789,427.

Inhibition of tyrosine kinases offers one mechanism by which cellproliferation can be inhibited. One of skill in the art will appreciatethat other mechanisms of inhibition may also be involved.

Certain advances in the art are described in International PublicationNumber Number WO 01/79158 [Roifman et al. (Roifman #1)] InternationalPublication Number Number WO 03/062190 [Roifman et al. (Roifman #2)].

While the teachings of Roifman #1 and Roifman #2 represent importantadvances in the art, there is an ongoing need in the art to identifyfurther compounds that inhibit cell proliferation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at leastone of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a compound ofFormula I, and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein:

R¹, R² and R³ are each independently selected from H, OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,OC₁₋₆alkyl, OC(O)C₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, NH₂; NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), C(O)NHC₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl),SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halogen;

R⁴ is selected from C(X) R⁵, SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)², P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂;

R⁵ is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, NHAr, NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar,NH(CH₂)—OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, NHNH₂,NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino;

Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

Hal is selected from Cl, Br, and I;

X is selected from O and S;

Y is selected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p);

n is 1 to 6; and

p is 1 to 3.

A non-limiting example of a preferred compound of Formula I is:4-chloro-2-cyano-5-phenyl-penta-2E,4Z-dienoic acid3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide (CRC-47), the chemical structure of which isprovided in Table 2 below.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a compound ofFormula II, and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein:

A is a ring chosen from pyridine, pyrasine, pyrimidine, imidazole, furanand thiophene;

R¹ is selected from C(X) R², SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂, P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂;

R² is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr,NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar; NH(CH₂)—OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,NHNH₂, NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino;

Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

X is selected from O and S;

Y is selected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p);

n 1 to 6; and

p s 1 to 3.

Non-limiting examples of preferred compounds of Formula II may beselected from the group comprising:2-cyano-5-furan-2-yl-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide(CRH-48); 2-cyano-5-pyridin-3-yl-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide (CRH-58);2-cyano-5-pyridin-3-yl-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid benzylamide (CRH-59);and 2-cyano-5-thiophen-2-yl-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide (CRH-60), the chemical structure of each ofwhich is provided in Table 2 below.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a compound ofFormula III, and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein:

R¹ is selected from OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂;

R² is selected from H, OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OC(O)C₁₋₆alkyl,C(O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl),C(O)NHC₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃,OCF₃ and halo;

R³ is selected from C(X) R⁴, SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂, F(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂;

R⁴ is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr,NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)_(n)OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, NHNH₂, NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino andN-pyrrolidino;

Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

X is selected from O and S;

Y is selected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p);

n is 1 to 6; and

p is 1 to 3.

Non-limiting examples of preferred compounds of Formula III may beselected from the group comprising:2-cyano-5-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid benzylamide(CRO-70); 2-cyano-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acidbenzylamide (CRO-90); and2-cyano-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-penta-2E,4E-dienoic acid3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide (CRO-91).

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a compound ofFormula IV, and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein:

A is a ring chosen from benzene, pyridine, pyrasine, pyrimidine,imidazole, furan and thiophene, unsubstituted or substituted with 1-4substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆ alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH,S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

B is a ring chosen from benzene and pyridine;

R¹ is selected from C(X) R², SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)², P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂;

R² is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr,NH₂(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)—OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,NHNH₂, NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino;

Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

X is selected from O and S;

Y is selected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p);

n is Ito 6; and

p is 1 to 3.

Non-limiting examples of preferred compounds of Formula IV may beselected from the group comprising:2-cyano-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-3-(4-trans-styrylphenyl)-E-acryl amide(CRS-75);2-cyano-N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-[4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-trans-vinyl)-phenyl]-E-acrylamide(CRS-76); and2-cyano-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-3-[4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-trans-vinyl)phenyl]-E-acrylamide(CRS-77), the chemical structure of each of which is provided in Table 2below.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a compound ofFormula V, and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein:

R¹, R² and R³ are each independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆allyl,OC(O)C₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), C(O)NHC₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl,NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

R⁴ is selected from C(X)R⁵, SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂, P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂;

R⁵ is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr; OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr,NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)_(n)OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, NHNH₂,NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino;

Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy; C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo;

X is selected from O and S;

Y is selected from (CH₂CF₂O)_(p);

n is 1 to 6; and

p is 1 to 3.

Non-limiting examples of preferred compounds of Formula V may beselected from the group comprising:2-cyano-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyphepta-2E,4E,6E-trienoic acid3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide (CRT-67);2-cyano-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-2E,4E,6E-trienoic acidbenzylamide (CRT-86); and2-cyano-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)hepta-2E,4E,6E-trienoic acid benzylamide(CRT-88), the chemical structure of each of which is provided in theExamples below.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising, as the active ingredient, one or more compoundsof Formalæ I, II, III, IV and V, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier therefor.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for modulating cell proliferation, preferablyinhibiting cell proliferation comprising administering an effectiveamount of a compound of the invention to a cell or animal in needthereof. The invention also includes a use of a compound of theinvention to modulate cell proliferation, preferably inhibit, cellproliferation. The invention further includes a use of a compound of theinvention to prepare a medicament to modulate cell proliferation,preferably inhibit cell proliferation.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method ofinhibiting the proliferation of a cancer cell comprising administeringan effective amount of a compound of the invention to a cell or animalin need thereof. The cancer cell treated may be any type of cancerincluding a leukemia, a lymphoma, myeloma, metastatic carcinoma, sarcomaor any other malignant transformation or any other malignancy. Theinvention also includes a use of a compound of the invention to modulatecancer cell proliferation, preferably inhibit cancer cell proliferation.The invention further includes a use of a compound of the invention toprepare a medicament to modulate cancer Cell proliferation, preferablyinhibit cancer cell proliferation.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of modulatingtyrosine kinase activity in a cell by administering an effective amountof a compound of the invention. In a further aspect, the inventionprovides a method of inhibiting tyrosine kinase activity in a cell byadministering an effective amount of a compound of the invention. Thepresent invention also provides a use of a compound of the invention tomodulate, preferably inhibit, tyrosine kinase activity. The presentinvention further provides a use of a compound of the invention toprepare a medicament to modulate tyrosine kinase activity, preferablyinhibit tyrosine kinase activity. It is appreciated that the inhibitionof cell growth by the compounds of the invention may be effected byother mechanisms.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

The term “C₁₋₆alkyl” as used herein means, unless otherwise stated,straight and/or branched chain alkyl radicals containing from one to sixcarbon atoms and includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, t-butyl andthe like.

The term “C₁₋₆alkoxy” as used herein means, unless otherwise stated,straight and/or branched chain alkoxy radicals containing from one tosix carbon atoms and includes methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, isopropyloxy,t-butoxy and the like.

The term “C₁₋₆alkyl” as used herein means, unless otherwise stated,straight and/or branched chain alkyl radicals containing from one tofour carbon atoms and includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, t-butyland the like.

The term “C₁₋₄alkoxy” as used herein means, unless otherwise stated,straight and/or branched chain alkoxy radicals containing from one tofour carbon atoms and includes-methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, isopropyloxy,t-butoxy and the like.

The term “Ar” as used herein, means an unsubstituted or substituted aryland/or heteroaryl group which, in the case of heteroaryl, may contain upto two heteroatoms, wherein the constituents are independently selectedfrom the group consisting of OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, NH₂,NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃and halo, and includes unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, furyl,thienyl, indolyl, naphthyl, quinolyl and the like.

The term “halo” as used herein means halogen and includes chloro,fluoro, bromo, iodo and the like.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means an acid addition saltor a basic addition salt which is suitable for or compatible with thetreatment of patients.

The term “compound of the invention” as used herein includes anycompound of the Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V as defined herein(including all salts, solvates or hydrates thereof) as well as aspecific compound designated herein as CRC-47, CRH-48, CRH-58, CRH-59,CRH-60, CRO-70, CRO-90, CRO-91, CRS-75, CRS-76, CRS-77, CRT-67, CRT-86AND CRT-88 (including all salts, solvates or hydrates thereof).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt” as used hereinmeans any non-toxic organic or inorganic salt of any base compoundsrepresented by Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V or any of theirintermediates. Illustrative inorganic acids which form suitable saltsinclude hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric and phosphoric acids, aswell as metal salts such as sodium monohydrogen orthophosphate andpotassium hydrogen sulfate. Illustrative organic acids that formsuitable salts include mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acids such asglycolic, lactic, pyruvic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, fumaric, malic,tartaric, citric, ascorbic, maleic, benzoic, phenylacetic, cinnamic andsalicylic acids, as well as sulfonic acids such as p-toluene sulfonicand methanesulfonic acids. Either the mono or di-acid salts can beformed, and such salts may exist in either a hydrated, solvated orsubstantially anhydrous form.

In general, the acid addition salts of compounds of Formulæ I, II, III,IV and/or V are more soluble in water and various hydrophilic organicsolvents, and generally demonstrate higher melting points in comparisonto their free base forms. The selection of the appropriate salt will beknown to one skilled in the art. Other non-pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, e.g. oxalates, may be used, for example, in the isolation ofcompounds of Formulæ Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V for laboratory use,or for subsequent conversion to a pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salt.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable basic addition salt” as usedherein means any non-toxic organic or inorganic base addition salt ofany acid compounds represented by Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V or anyof their intermediates. Illustrative inorganic bases which form suitablesalts include lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or bariumhydroxide. Illustrative organic bases which form suitable salts includealiphatic, alicyclic or aromatic organic amines such as methylamine,trimethylamine and picoline or ammonia. The selection of the appropriatesalt will be known to a person skilled in the art.

The term “solvate” as used herein means a compound of Formulæ I, II,III, IV and/or V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound ofFormulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V, wherein molecules of a suitable solventare incorporated in the crystal lattice. A suitable solvent isphysiologically tolerable at the dosage administered. Examples ofsuitable solvents are ethanol, water and the like.

When water is the solvent, the molecule is referred to as a “hydrate”.

The term an “effective amount” or a “sufficient amount” of an agent asused herein is that amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desiredresults, including clinical results, and, as such, an “effective amount”depends upon the context in which it is being applied. For example, inthe context, of administering an agent that inhibits cancer cellproliferation, an effective amount of an agent is, for example, anamount sufficient to achieve such a reduction in cancer cellproliferation as compared to the response obtained withoutadministration of the agent.

As used herein, and as well understood in the art, “treatment” is anapproach for obtaining beneficial or desired results, including clinicalresults. Beneficial or desired clinical results can include, but are notlimited to, alleviation or amelioration of one or more symptoms orconditions, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized (i.e. notworsening) state of disease, preventing spread of disease, delay orslowing of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of thedisease state, and remission (whether partial or total), whetherdetectable or undetectable. “Treatment” can also mean prolongingsurvival as compared to expected survival if not receiving treatment.

“Palliating” a disease or disorder means that the extent and/orundesirable clinical manifestations of a disorder or a disease state arelessened and/or time course of the progression is slowed or lengthened,as compared to not treating the disorder.

The term “modulate” as used herein includes the inhibition orsuppression of a function or activity (such as cell proliferation) aswell as the enhancement of a function or activity.

To “inhibit” or “suppress” or “reduce” a function or activity, such ascancer cell proliferation, is to reduce the function or activity whencompared to otherwise same conditions except for a condition orparameter of interest, or alternatively, as compared to anotherconditions.

The term “animal” as used herein includes all members of the animalkingdom including humans and non-humans. The animal is preferably ahuman.

The term “a cell” as used herein includes a plurality of cells.Administering a compound to a cell includes in vivo, ex vivo and invitro treatment.

The term “cancer cells” as used herein includes all forms of cancer orneoplastic disease.

The present invention includes within, its scope, prodrugs of thecompounds of the invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functionalderivatives of a compound of the invention which are readily convertiblein vivo into the compound from which it is notionally derived.Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitableprodrugs are described, for example, in “Design of Prodrugs” ed. H.Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

Some of the compounds of the invention may have at least one asymmetriccenter. Where the compounds according to the invention have oneasymmetric center, the may exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds ofthe invention possess two or more asymmetric centers, they mayadditionally exist as diastereomers. It is to be understood that allsuch isomers and mixtures thereof in any proportion are encompassedwithin the scope of the present invention.

The present invention includes radiolabeled forms of compounds of theinvention, for example, compounds of the invention labeled byincorporation within the structure ³H or ¹⁴C or a radioactive halogensuch as ¹²⁵I.

The compounds of the invention may, for example, be derived from anactivated cinnamyl compound and an activated cyano-substituted methylenecompound. A person skilled in the art, therefore, may wish to provide ageneric name for the compounds of the invention based on the cinnamylmoiety. However, generic nomenclature based on the formed acylonitrilemoiety, for example, styryl acrylonitrile, would be more proper.

The compounds of the invention can be prepared by general process stepsestablished in the art for production of unrelated compounds. Therefore,compounds of the invention may be prepared by the reaction seauenceshown in Scheme 1

Compounds of the general Formulæ I-V described above can be prepared byKnoevenagel condensation of β-aryl-substituted E-propenals (1, n=1 or2), or substituted benzaldehydes (1, n=0) with a compound having activeβ-methylene group (2). For example, these condensations may be carriedout in a polar solvent, such as ethanol, in the presence of catalyticamounts of a base, such as β-alanine or piperidine. Reactiontemperatures may be in the range of 20° to 80° C., depending on the usedcatalyst.

In some cases, the condensation outlined above may have to be modifiedby use of protective groups, such as acetates or methyl ethers, toprevent side reactions. At the end of reaction sequence, the protectivegroups can be removed by processes analogous to those established in theart, for example as described in Greene T.W., Wuts P.G.M. ProtectiveGroups in Organic Synthesis. John Wiley & Sons, Third Edition, 1999.

Aldehydes (1) may be commercially available, such as2-hydroxycinnamaldehyde, 3-(3-pyridyl)acrolein,trans-4-stilbenecarboxaldehyde. Other 13-aryl-substituted E-propenals(1, n=1 or 2) or substituted benzaldehydes (1, n=0) may be preparedusing straightforward procedures. For example,2,5-dihydroxycinnamaldehyde and various dienals can be prepared byWittig olefination of the corresponding benzaldehydes or cinnamaldehydes(Scheme 2).

In case if corresponding 13-aryl-substituted acrylic acid iscommercially available, the corresponding E-propenals may be preparedfrom such acids using procedures previously described (Scheme 3) (seePotgieter M., Wenteler G. L., Drewes S. E. Phytochemistry, 1988, V. 27,No. 4, P. 1101-1104).

4-(2-Pyridin-4-yl-trans-vinyl)benzaldehyde can be prepared bycondensation of γ-picoline with terephtaldicarboxaldehyde as describedin Ichimura K., Watanabe S. J. Polymer Sci., 1982, V. 20, P. 1419-1432(Scheme 4).

α-Cyano amides (2) with a reactive methylene group may be obtained bykeeping the mixture of methyl cyanoacetate and an appropriatecommercially available amine without presence of a solvent for 12 hfollowed by crystallization from an appropriate solvent (Scheme 51.

As stated above, an aspect of the present invention relates to apharmaceutical composition comprising, as the active ingredient, one ormore compounds of Formal I, II, III, IV and V, together with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

The dosage administered of the active ingredient will vary depending onthe use and known factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics ofthe particular substance, and its mode and route of administration; age,health, and weight of the individual recipient; nature and extent ofsymptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and theeffect desired.

By way of general guidance, a daily dosage of the active ingredient canbe in the range of from about 0.01 to about 80 mg/kg of body weight,preferably from about 0.1 to about 20, more preferably from about 0.2 toabout 10 mg/kg of body weight. Ordinarily a dose of from about 0.5 toabout 50 mg/kg per day of the active ingredient divided doses one tomultiple times a day, preferably up to four times per day, or insustained release form is effective to obtain the desired results.

In the treatment methods and compositions of the present invention, theactive ingredient described in detail herein is (are) typicallyadministered for oral, topical, rectal, parenteral, local, inhalant orintracerebral use. In an embodiment of the invention, the substances areadministered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasalvehicles, or via transdermal, routes, using forms of transdermal skinpatches known to those of ordinary Skill in that art. To be administeredin the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administrationwill be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosageregimen. The substances can also be administered by way of controlled orslow release capsule system and other drug delivery technologies.

A preferred form of administration is oral. For example, for oraladministration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the activesubstance(s) can be combined with an oral, non-toxic, pharmaceuticallyacceptable, inert carrier such as lactose, starch, sucrose, glucose,methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, calciumsulfate, mannitol, sorbitol and the like; for oral administration inliquid form, the oral active substances can be combined with any oral,non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol;glycerol, water, and the like. Suitable binders, lubricants,disintegrating agents, and colouring agents can also be incorporatedinto the dosage form if desired or necessary. Suitable binders includestarch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or beta-lactose, cornsweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth, orsodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes, andthe like. Suitable lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodiumoleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium, benzoate, sodiumacetate, sodium chloride, and the like. Examples of disintegratorsinclude starch, methyl cellulose, agar; bentonite, xanthan gum, and thelike.

Gelatin capsules may contain the active substance and powdered carriers,such as lactose, starch, cellulose derivatives, magnesium stearate,stearic acid, and the like. Similar carriers and diluents may be used tomake compressed tablets. Tablets and capsules can be manufactured assustained release products to provide for continuous release of activeingredients over a period of time. Compressed tablets can be sugarcoated or film coated to mask any unpleasant taste and protect thetablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selectivedisintegration in the gastrointestinal tract. Liquid dosage forms fororal administration may contain colouring and flavouring agents toincrease patient acceptance.

Water, a suitable oil, saline, aqueous dextrose, and related sugarsolutions and glycols such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycols,may be used as carriers for parenteral solutions. Such solutions alsopreferably contain a water soluble salt of the active ingredient,suitable stabilizing agents, and if necessary, buffer substances.Suitable stabilizing agents include antioxidizing agents such as sodiumbisulfate, sodium sulfite, or ascorbic acid, either alone or combined,citric acid and its salts and sodium EDTA. Parenteral solutions may alsocontain preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride, methyl- orpropyl-paraben, and chlorobutanol.

The active ingredient described in detail herein can also beadministered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as smallunilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, and multilamellarvesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, suchas cholesterol, stearylamine, or phosphatidylcholines.

The active ingredient substances described in detail herein may also becoupled with soluble polymers which are targetable drug carriers.Examples of such polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer,polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamide-phenol,polyhydroxyethylaspartamiclephenol, or polyethyleneoxide-polylysinesubstituted with palmitoyl residues. The active ingredient substancesmay also be coupled to biodegradable polymers useful in achievingcontrolled release of a drug. Suitable polymers include polylactic acid,polyglycolic acid, copolymers of polylactic and polyglycolic acid,polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyric acid, polyorthoesters,polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacylates, and crosslinked oramphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels. The substances can also beaffixed to rigid polymers and other structures such as fullerenes orBuckeyballs.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration contain about 1milligram to 1500 milligrams of active ingredient per unit. In thesepharmaceutical compositions, the active ingredient will ordinarily bepresent in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based on the totalweight of the composition.

Suitable pharmaceutical carriers and methods of preparing pharmaceuticaldosage forms are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, MackPublishing Company, a standard reference text in art of drugformulation.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the inventors have prepared novel compoundsof the Formulæ I, II; III, IV and/or V. Accordingly, the presentinvention includes all uses of the compounds of the invention includingtheir use in therapeutic methods and compositions for modulating cellproliferation, their use in diagnostic assays and their use as researchtools.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for modulatingcell proliferation comprising administering an effective amount of acompound of the invention to a cell or animal in need thereof.Preferably, the invention provides a method of inhibiting cellproliferation comprising administering an effective amount of a compoundof the invention to a cell or animal in need thereof. In particular; themethod of the invention is useful in inhibiting the proliferation ofabnormal butrnot normal cells. Abnormal cells include any type of cellthat is causative of or involved in a disease or condition and whereinit is desirable to modulate or inhibit the proliferation of the abnormalcell to treat the disease or condition. Examples of abnormal cellsinclude malignant or cancerous cells as well as cell thatover-proliferate in inflammatory conditions.

It has been determined that some of the compounds of the invention arevery effective at killing cancer cells while at the same time they donot kill normal cells. These properties make the compounds of theinvention extremely useful as anti-cancer agents. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting theproliferation of a cancer cell comprising administering an effectiveamount of a compound of the invention to a cell or animal in needthereof.

The cancer cell that can be treated with a compound of the invention maybe any type of cancer including, but not limited to, hematopoieticmalignancies, including leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas as well asother types of cancer including sarcomas, carcinomas, melanomas,adenomas, nervous system cancers and genitourinary cancers. Examples of,leukemias include acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelocyticleukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocyticleukemia (CLL) and juvenile myelo-monocytic leukemia (JMML). The typesof ALL that may be treated with the compounds of the invention includecells that express a bcr-abl fusion protein, such as Philadelphiapositive ALL cells, as well as Philadelphia negative ALL cells. Examplesof lymphomas include B-cell Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphomas,non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including the Ki-1 positive anaplastic largecell lymphomas, cell lymphomas and rare lymphomas such as thehistiocytic lymphomas. Examples of myelomas include multiple myelomas.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe following Examples that are provided for illustrative purposes onlyand should not be used to construe or limit the scope of the invention.

In the Examples, a number of standard methods and materials were used.NMR spectra were obtained on a Varian Unity Plus spectrometer (USA) at500 MHz with tetramethylsilane (TMS, Me₄Si) as an internal standard(δ=0). Electrospray mass spectra were recorded on an API III Plus triplequadrupole mass spectrometer (USA), with a direct introduction of thesamples into the ionization source. Thin layer chromatography wasperformed with UV-254 aluminum-backed TLC sheets of 0.25 mm thickness(Kieselgel 60 F₂₅₄, Merck, Germany). HPLC chromatograms and UV spectrawere obtained on a model 600 liquid chromatograph (Waters, USA) with amodel 996 PDA detector. The reagents were purchased from Aldrich (USA)and Lancaster (England), and were used as received. Solvents werepurchased from Caledon (Canada).

EXAMPLE 1 4-(2-Pyridin-4-yl-trans-vinyl)benzaldehyde

A mixture of 0.50 g (5.38 mmol) of γ-picoline and 1.08 g (8.06 mmol) ofterephtaldicarboxaldehyde in 2.1 mL of acetic anhydride and 0.9 mL ofacetic acid was stirred at 100° C. for 4 h. 10 mL of water was added andthe Mixture was adjusted to pH 9 by addition of 5% KHCO₃ (10 mL). Theformed yellowish precipitate was filtered off, washed with H₂O and driedin a vacuum desiccator over NaOH. The target aldehyde was purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel. The results were as follows:

-   -   a. yield 275 mg (25%).    -   b. UV, λ_(max) 321.5 nm.    -   c. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 210 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 242 (38).

EXAMPLE 2 2,5-Diacetoxycinnamaldehyde

To a solution of 444 mg (2.0 mmol) of 2,5-diacetoxybenzaldehyde in 30 mLtoluene, obtained by treatment of 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde withAc₂O-Py, 608 mg (2.0 mmol) of (triphenylphosphoranilydene)acetaldehydewas added. The mixture was stirred for 5 h at 100° C. Toluene wasevaporated; the residue was re-dissolved in ethyl acetate and passedthrough silica gel, eluent ethyl acetate-hexane, 1:1. The solvents wereevaporated and the residue was recrystallized twice from ethylacetate-heptane, 1:2. The results were as follows:

-   -   a. Yield 220 mg (44%).    -   b. UV, λ_(max) 221, 280 nm.    -   c. ¹H-NMR (5, ppm): 2.27; 2.37 (2×s, 2×3H, 2×OAc), 6.77 (dd, 1H,        J 7.6 and 16.1 Hz, Hα olefinic), 7.28 (d, 2H, J=1.6 Hz, H³⁺⁴),        7.65 (dd, 1H, J 0.4 and 1.6. Hz, H⁶), 7.76 (d, 1H, J=16.1 Hz, Hβ        olefinic), 9.72 (d, 1H, J 7.6 Hz, CHO).    -   d. MS (ink rel.intensity, %): 189.0 ([M—OAc]⁺, 66), 207.0        ([M+NH₄—OAc]⁺, 7.4), 249.0 ([M+H]⁺, 63), 266.0 ([M+NH₄]⁺, 100).

EXAMPLE 3 5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-penta-2E,4E-dienal

To the solution of 3-methoxy-4-acetoxycinnamaldehyde (220 mg, 1 mmol)(Aldrich) in 40 mL of dichloromethane,(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (858 mg, 2 mmol)was added followed by addition of K₂CO₃ (276 mg, 2 mmol) and 18-crown-6(26 mg, 0.1 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 h.The reaction was quenched with 30 mL of 2N HCl, and the organic layerwas separated, dried with Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. The intermediate3-methoxy-4-acetoxy dienal was purified by column chromatography and theacetate group was hydrolyzed with 1N NaOH leading to5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-penta-2E,4E-dienal. The results were asfollows:

-   -   a. Yield 138 mg (68%).    -   b. UV, λ_(max) 258 and 365 nm.    -   c. ¹H-NMR (5, ppm): 6.17 (dd, 1H, J 8.1 and 15.3 Hz, Hα        olefinic), 6.83 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, Hδ olefinic), 7.05 (dd, 1H, J        1.9 and 8.3 Hz, H⁵), 7.08 (m, 2H, H⁶+Hγ olefinic), 7.24 (d, 1H,        J=1.9 Hz, H²), 7.45 (m, 1H, Hβ olefinic), 9.53 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz,        CHO).    -   d. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 205.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100).

EXAMPLE 4 3-Thiophen-2yl-E-propenal

To a solution of 1.54 g (10 mmol) of 1-thiophen-2-yl-acrylic acid(Aldrich) in methanol, few drops of thionyl chloride were added and themixture was refluxed for 10 h. Methanol was taken to dryness and themethyl ester (1.68 g, 10 mmol, yield 100%) was reduced to thecorresponding alcohol with 4 eqv of DIBAL in THF. The alcohol (1.29 g,9.2 mmol, yield 92%) was dissolved in 200 mL of dichloromethane, 3.96 g(46 mmol) of activated MnO₂ was added and the mixture was stirred for 10h at room temperature. The catalyst was filtered off, dichloromethanewas evaporated and the residue was distilled on a Kugelrohr apparatus ata temperature of 140° C. and vacuum 0.1 mm Hg. The results were:

-   -   a. Overall yield 1.08 g (78%).    -   b. UV, λ_(max) 327 nm.    -   c. MS. (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 139.1 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 104.9        ([M-SH]⁺, 48).

EXAMPLE 5 2-Cyano-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)acetamide

Methyl cyanoacetate (1.98 g, 20 mmol) and veratrylamine (3.34 g, 20mmol) were mixed together and left for 0.5 h at 20° C. until the mixturesolidified. The product was recrystallized from 200 mL of hot ethanol.The results were as follows:

-   -   a. Yield 3.30 g (70%).    -   b. ¹H-NMR (δ, ppm): 162 (s, 2H, CH₂CN), 3.78 (s, 6H, (OMe)₂),        4.34 (br.s., 2H, NHCH₂Ph), 6.84 (dd, 1H, J 1.95 and 8.1 Hz, H⁶),        6.88 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, H⁵), 6.93 (d, 1H, J=1.95 Hz, H²), 7.80        (br.s., 1H, NH).    -   c. MS, m/e (rel.intensity, %): 235.0 ([M+H]⁺, 19), 252.0        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 100), 257.0 ([M+Na]⁺, 33).

EXAMPLE 6 2-Cyano-N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)acetamide

To 2-cyano-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)acetamide (2.68 g, 11.45 mmol) in 200ml of CH₂Cl₂, boron tribromide was added dropwise at −10° C. (8.75 g, 35mmol). After 0.5 h the reaction was brought to room temperature andstirred for an additional 1 h. The reaction was cooled to 0° C., 200 mlof water was carefully added, and the organic layer was separated. Theaqueous phase was saturated with NaCl and extracted with 3×100 ml ofethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was dried with Na₂SO₄, andtaken to dryness. The solidified residue was suspended in water andlyophilized to give an off-white powder, which was washed with CH₂Cl₂and dried. The results were as follows:

-   -   a. Yield 1.24 g (53%).    -   b. ¹H-NMR (5, ppm): 2.83 (s, (OH)₂), 3.60 (s, 2H, CH₂CN), 4.25        (br.s, 2H, NHCH₂Ph), 6.63 (dd, 1H, J 1.95 and 8.1 Hz, H⁶), 6.75        (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, H⁵), 6.79 (d, 1H, J=1.95 Hz, H²), 7.71 (br.s.,        1H, NH).    -   c. MS, m/e (rel.intensity, %): 207.0 ([M+H]⁺, 38), 224.0        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 100), 229.0 ([M+Na]⁺, 2.6).

EXAMPLE 7 Knoevenagel Condensation Catalyzed by Piperidine

To a solution of 0.1 mmol of hydroxyl-substituted O-aryl-substitutedE-propenal or substituted benzaldehyde and 0.1 mmol of amide in 3-4 mLof ethanol, an equimolar amount of piperidine was added. The solutionwas stirred at 20° C. for 0.5-1.0 h until the starting materialdisappeared. 0.2 mL 1N HCl was added followed by addition of 10 mL H₂O,and the mixture was kept at 0° C. for 2 h. The precipitated powder waswashed with H₂O, re-crystallized from MeCN—H₂O, and dried in adesiccator over NaOH. The average yield of the desirable tyrenes was50-70%. See Table 1 for details.

For Compound CRT-67, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 3.86 (s, 3H, OMe), 4.32 (s, 2H, NHCH₂Ph′),        6.64 (dd, 1H, J 2.1 and 8.1 Hz, H^(6′)), 6.71 (dd, 1H, J 12.0        and 14.4 Hz, Hβ olefinic), 6.73 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, H^(5′)), 6.82        (m, 2H, H⁶+H^(2′)), 6.98 (d, 1H, J 15.2 Hz, Hε olefinic), 7.04        (dd; I H, J 1.9 and 8.2 Hz, H⁵), 7.10 (dd, 1H, J 11.0 and 15.2        Hz, Hδ olefinic), 7.21-7.28 (m, 2H, H²+Hγ olefinic), 7.92 (d,        J=12.0 Hz, Hα olefinic).    -   b. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 393.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 410.0        ([M+NH]⁺, 45).

For Compound CRT-86, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 361.0 ([M+H]+, 100), 378.2        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 10), 383.1 ([M+NH₄]⁺, 15).

EXAMPLE 8 Knoevenagel Condensation Catalyzed by O-Alanine

To a solution of 0.1 mmol 0.1 mmol of hydroxyl-substitutedO-aryl-substituted E-propenal or substituted benzaldehyde and 0.1 mmolof amide in 3-4 mL of ethanol, a few crystals of O-alanine were added.The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 2.0-4.0 h until the startingmaterial disappeared. 10 mL H₂O was added, and the mixture was kept at0° C. for 2 h. The precipitated powder was washed with H₂O,re-crystallized from MeCN—H₂O, and dried in a desiccator over NaOH. Theaverage yield of the desirable tyrenes was 60-75%. See Table 2 fordetails.

For Compound CRC-47, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 354.9 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 372.1        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 66), 377.0 ([M+Na]⁺, 47).

For Compound CRH-48, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 4.38 (s, 2H, NHCH₂Ph′), 6.64 (dd, 1H, J 2:0        and 8.1 Hz, H^(6′)), 6.67 (dd, 1H, J 2.2 and 7.9 Hz, H³), 6.76        (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, H^(5′)), 6.85 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H^(2′)), 6.90        (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H⁴), 7.05 (dd, 1H, J 11.5 and 15.0 Hz, Hβ        olefinic), 7.31 (d, 1H, J=15.0 Hz, Hγ olefinic), 7.79 (d, 1H,        J=7.9 Hz, H²), 8.01 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, Hα olefinic).    -   b. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 311.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 328.0        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 25), 333.0 ([M+Na]⁺, 8).

For Compound CRH-58, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 322.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100).

For Compound CRH-59, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 229.2 (31), 290.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100).

For Compound CRH-60, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 4.38 (s, 2H, NHCH₂Ph′), 6.68 (dd, 1H, J 2.0        and 8.1 Hz, H^(6′)), 6.76 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, H^(5′)), 6.86 (d,        1H, J=2.2 Hz, H⁴), 6.99 (dd, 1H, J 11.5 and 15.0 Hz, HP        olefinic), 7.19 (dd, 1H, J 2.2 and 7.9 Hz, H³), 7.50 (d, 1H,        J=7.9 Hz, H²), 7.68 (d, 1H, J=15.0 Hz, Hγ olefinic), 7.72 (d,        1H, J=2.0 Hz, H^(2′)), 8.02 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, Hα olefinic).    -   b. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 327.3 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 344.3        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 13), 349.3 ([M+Na]⁺, 40).

For Compound CRS-75, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 7.31-7.44 (m, 5H, Ph+olefinic), 7.50 (d, 1H,        J 16.4 Hz; olefinic), 7.67, 7.82 (2×m, 4H, phenylene), 8.06 (d,        2H, J=8.5 Hz, Py), 8.29 (s, 1H, CH═CCN), 8.54 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz,        Py).    -   b. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 366.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100).

For Compound CRS-76, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 264.0 (100), 398.0 ([M+H]⁺, 21)

For Compound CRS-76, the results were as follows:

-   -   a. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 4.64 (s, 2H, NHCH₂Ar′), 7.39, 7.62 (2×m, 4H,        Ph), 7.47, 7.54 (2×d, 2×1H, J=16.5 Hz, olefinic), 7.89, 8.09,        8.54-8.60 (3×m, 8H, Py), 8.30 (s, 1H, CH═CCN).    -   b. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 264.1 (63), 366.9 ([M+H]⁺, 100).

EXAMPLE 9 2-Cyano-5-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)penta-2E,4E-dienoic AcidBenzylamide (CRO-70)

To a solution of 25 mg of OT-70A in 4 mL of acetone, 4 mL of 3N HCl wasadded and the mixture was heated at 50° C. for 2 h. 10 mL of water wasadded, acetone was partially evaporated, and the mixture was left at 5°C. for crystallization. The formed crystals were filtered off, washedwith water and dried in vacuo over NaOH. The results were as follows:

-   -   a. UV, λ_(max) 331, 406 nm.    -   b. ¹H-NMR (8, ppm): 4.58 (s, 2H, NHCH₂Ph′), 6.81 (dd, 1H, J 2.9        and 8.8 Hz, H⁴), 6.87 (d, 1H, J=8.8 Hz, H³), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=2.9        Hz, H⁶), 7.28; 7.34-7.43 (2×m, 5H, Ph′), 7.37 (dd, 1H, J 11.7        and 15.4 Hz, Hβ olefinic), 7.62 (d, 1H, J=15.4 Hz, Hγ olefinic),        8.06 (d, 1H, J=11.7 Hz, Hα olefinic).    -   c. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 321.0 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 338.0        ([M+NH₄]⁺, 9).

EXAMPLE 10 2-Cyano-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)hepta-2E,4E,6E-trienoic AcidBenzyl-amide (CRT-88)

To 201 mg (0.56 mmol) of TT-86 in 100 mL of dichloromethane, 560 mg(2.24 mmol) of boron tribromide was added at −10° C. The mixture wasstirred 0.5 h at −10° C. and 1 h at room temperature. 100 mL of waterwas added, and the organic layer was separated, dried with Na₂SO₄ andevaporated. The oily residue was crystallized from ethanol-water at 5°C. The formed crystals were filtered off, washed with water and dried invacuo over NaOH. The results were as follows:

-   -   a. Yield 81 mg (42%).    -   b. UV, λ_(max) 278 and 414 nm.    -   c. MS (m/z, rel.intensity, %): 347.1 ([M+H]⁺, 100), 269.0        ([M-Ph′]⁺, 26), 186.8 ([M-CONHCH₂Ph′], 33), 105.1 ([NCH₂Ph′]⁺,        34).

EXAMPLE 11 Killing of Philadelphia Positive Z119 Acute LymphoblasticLeukemia Cells by Low-Dose Test Compounds in Culture

Z119 cells were plated in 1 ml volumes at a density of 5×10⁴ cells/ml,in the absence of exogenous growth factors, into 35 mm petri dishes(Nunc, Gibco) containing IMDM (OCI, Toronto) plus 20% FCS. (CanseraRexdale, ON.) in 0:9% (vol/vol) methylcellulose (Fluka, Switzerland)with the indicated concentration of for various test compounds describedabove. Cultures were set at 37° C., 5% CO₂ in a humidified atmosphere.Colonies consisting of more than 20 cells were counted at 7-9 days usingan inverted microscope. The results for various test compounds describedabove are presented in Tables 3.

EXAMPLE 12 Killing of AML-3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells by Low-DoseTest Compounds in Culture

OCI-AML-3 cells were plated in 35 mm, pad dishes (Nunc, Gibco) in 1 mlvolumes at a density of 3.3×10³ cells/ml, in the absence of exogenousgrowth factors, containing alpha MEM plus 30% FCS (Cansera, RexdaleOnt.), and 0.9% (vol/vol) methylcellulose (Fluka, Switzerland) and theindicated concentrations of for'various test compounds described above.Cell cultures were incubated in a humidified atmosphere at 37° C. with5% CO₂. Colonies containing more than 20 cells were scored, using aninverted microscope, at 5-6 days. The results for various test compoundsdescribed above are presented in Table 3.

EXAMPLE 13 Killing of Philadelphia Negative C1 Acute LymphoblasticLeukemia Cells by Low-Dose Test Compounds in Culture

C1 (at 2×10⁴ cells/ml) were plated in 1 ml volumes, in the absence ofexogenous growth factors, into 35 mm Petri dishes (Nunc, Gibco)containing alpha MEM (Gibco) plus 10% FCS (Cansera Rexdale, Ont.) in0.9% (vol/vol) methylcellulose (Fluka, Switzerland). Cultures were setup at 37° C. with 5% CO, in a humidified atmosphere. Colonies consistingof more than 20 cells were counted in 5-7 days using an invertedmicroscope. For further information, see Leukemia, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1992,pg. 8-17 and Nature, Vol. 379, 15 February, 1996. The results forvarious test compounds described above are presented in Table 3.

EXAMPLE 14 Effect of Test Compounds Upon Normal Bone MarrowDifferentiation in Culture

The CFU-GEMM assay was performed according to Fauser and Messner (1978,Blood, 52(6) 143-8) and Messner and Fausser (1980, Blut, 41(5) 327-33)with some variations. In brief, heparinized bone marrow cells werelayered over Percoll (1.077 gm/ml) (Pharmacia Fine Chemical, PiscatawayN.J.) and centrifuged at 400 g at 4° C. for 10 minutes to removeneutrophils and RBCs. The fractionated BM cells at 2×10⁵ cells/ml werecultured in IMDM (OCI, Toronto) containing 0.9% (vol/vol)methylcellulose supplemented with 30% FCS (Cansera Rexdale, ON.) ornormal human plasma, a cocktail of cytokines containing G-CSF (10 ng/ml,Amgen), IL-3 (40 U/ml, Immunex), MGF (50 ng/ml, Immunex), Erythropoietin(2 Epprex) or TPO (10 ng/ml, Amgen), 5×10⁻⁵ M β-2-mercaptoethanol andthe specified concentration of CR4. The culture mixture was plated in 1ml volumes into 35 mm petri dishes and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO, in ahumidified atmosphere. All cultures were evaluated at 14 days for thenumber of BFU-E colonies. (defined as aggregates of more than 500hemoglobinized cells or, 3 or more erythroid subcolonies), OFU-GMcolonies (defined as granulocyte or monocyte-macrophage cells or both),CFU-Meg colonies (comprising 4 or more megakaryocytes) and CFU-GEMMcolonies (a mixed population comprising of all elements). The resultsfor various test compounds described above are presented in Table 3.

While the results in Table 3 for many of the test compounds are good, itis believed that the best results are those reported for compoundCRH-58.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments and examples, the description is not intended to beconstrued in a limiting sense. Thus, various modifications of theillustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thisdescription. For example, many of the specific compounds of the presentinvention are encompassed by the general compounds of the Formulæ I, II,III, IV and/or V. For the purposes of 35 U.S.C. §112 (first paragraph)and Article 123(2)/(3) EPC, it should be understood that the use ofgeneral compounds of the Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V is shorthandfor listing each specific compound encompassed thereby. Thus, generalcompounds of the Formulæ I, II, III, IV and/or V are to be consideredsubstantively identical to a list of specific compounds derived from allpermutations and combinations covered by a general compound. As such,for the purposes of 35 U.S.C. §112 (first paragraph) and Article123(2)/(3) EPC, the right to use one or more provisos or disclaimers toclarify the definition of a general formula is expressly reserved (i.e.,having the effect of selecting members of a list of specific compoundsderived from a general compound). It is therefore contemplated that theappended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments.

All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as ifeach individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by referencein its entirety.

TABLE 1 Yield, λ_(max), Code Structural formula %. nm CRT-67

69 280, 415 CRT-86

85 274, 413 CRO-90

74 374 CRO-91

68 375

TABLE 2 Yield, λ_(max), Code Structural formula % nm CRC-47

74 337 CRH-48

75 374 CRH-58

60 331 CRH-59

62 328 CRH-60

64 284, 375 CRO-70A

72 336 CRO-70

100 331, 406 CRS-75

65 248, 375 CRS-76

62 368 CRS-77

69 370

TABLE 3 ALL (Z 119) AML (OCI AML-3) ALL (CI) NBM (BFU-E) Code IC50, μMIC50, μM IC50, μm IC50, μM CRC-47  <0.125 — — <<5.0 CRH-48 0.25-0.5=0.23 ≧0.25 ≦10.0 CRH-58  =0.26 >0.5 >0.5 7.5-9.8 CRH-59 >1.0 — — >10.0CRH-60 <0.5 — — 7.1 CRT-67 ≦0.5  >0.5 >0.5 10.2 CRO-70  =0.26 >0.5 >0.56.9 CRS-75 >1.0 ≧0.5 ≧0.5 >10 CRS-76 >1.0 — — >10.0 CRS-77 >1.0 —— >10.0 CRT-88 <0.5 — — 3.1-5.4

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A compound of Formula III, and salts, solvates andhydrates thereof:

wherein: R¹ is selected from OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂; R² is selected from H,OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OC(O)C₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, NH₂,NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), C(O)NHC₁₋₆alkyl,C(O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂; CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; R³is selected from C(X) R⁴, SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂, P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, andC(NH₂)═C(CN)₂; R⁴ is selected from NH₂, OH, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, NHAr,NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)—OH, (CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, NHNH₂,NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino; Ar is anaromatic or heteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substituted with 1-4substituents independently selected from OH, C₁₋₆allyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, NO₂,CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; X is selected from O and S; Y is selected from(CH₂CH₂O)_(p); n is 1 to 6; and p is 1 to
 3. 9. (canceled) 10.(canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. A compound of Formula IV, and salts,solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein: A is a ring chosen from benzene, pyridine, pyrasine,pyrimidine, imidazole, furan and thiophene, unsubstituted or substitutedwith 1-4 substituents independently selected from OH C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆ alkyl,N(C₁₋₆alkYl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH, S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; B isa ring chosen from benzene and pyridine; R¹ is selected from C(X) R²,SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂,P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, and C(NH₂)═C(CN)₂; R² is selected from NH₂, OH,OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr, NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)_(n)OH,(CH₂)—OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, NHNH₂, NHC(O)NH₂,NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino; Ar is an aromatic orheteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substituted with 1-4 substituentsindependently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH,S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; X is selected from O and S; Y isselected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p); n is 1 to 6; and p is 1 to
 3. 13.(canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. A compound of Formula V,and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof:

wherein: R¹, R² and R³ are each independently selected from OH,C₁₋₆alkyl, OC₁₋₆alkyl, OC(O)C₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, NH₂,N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), C(O)NHC₁₋₆alkyl, C(O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl),SH, SC₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; R⁴ is selected from C(X) R⁵,SO₂Ar, NH₂, NHC₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), P(O)(OH)₂,P(O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, and C(NH₂)═C(CN)₂; R⁵ is selected from NH₂, OH,OC₁₋₆alkyl, OAr, OYC₁₋₃alkyl, NHAr, NH(CH₂)_(n)Ar, NH(CH₂)_(n)OH,(CH₂)_(n)OC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, NHNH₂, NHC(O)NH₂,NHC(O)C₁₋₆alkoxy, N-morpholino and N-pyrrolidino; Ar is an aromatic orheteroaromatic group, unsubstituted or substituted with 1-4 substituentsindependently selected from OH, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,C₁₋₃alkylenedioxy, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N(C₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl), SH,S—C₁₋₆alkyl, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃ and halo; X is selected from O and S; Y isselected from (CH₂CH₂O)_(p); n is 1 to 6; and p is 1 to
 3. 17-38.(canceled)